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Consumer Reports
for Home Seller
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Seller Services |
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Remodeling That Pays
Upgrading your home is
always appealing, but which enhancements get you the
best return for your money when it’s time to sell? The
2004 Cost vs. Value Report by
Remodeling
magazine and REALTOR® Magazine has
the answer.
MAJOR KITCHEN REMODEL
Update an outmoded 200-square-foot kitchen with new
cabinets, laminate countertops, and standard double-tub
stainless-steel sink with standard single-lever faucet.
Include energy-efficient wall oven, cooktop, ventilation
system, built-in microwave, dishwasher, and garbage
disposer. Add custom lighting and new resilient floor.
Finish with painted walls, trim, and ceiling. Include 30
linear feet of semi-custom grade wood cabinets,
including a 3-by-5-foot island.
National Average
Job cost: $42,660
Value at sale: $33,890
Cost Recouped: 79.4%
BATHROOM
REMODEL
Update bathroom that's at least 25 years old. Replace
all fixtures to include standard-sized tub with ceramic
tile surround, toilet, solid-surface vanity counter with
integral double sink, recessed medicine cabinet, ceramic
tile floor, and vinyl wallpaper.
National Average
Job cost: $9,861
Value at sale: $8,887
Cost Recouped: 90.1%
MASTER SUITE
ADDITION
On a house with two or three bedrooms, add a
24-by-16-foot master bedroom suite over a crawlspace.
Include walk-in closet/dressing area, whirlpool tub in
ceramic tile platform, separate 3-by-4-foot ceramic tile
shower, and double-bowl vanity with solid surface
countertop. Bedroom floor is carpet; bath floor is
ceramic tile. Paint the walls, ceiling, and trim. Add
general and spot lighting and exhaust fan.
National Average
Job cost: $70,245
Value at sale: $56,257
Cost Recouped: 80.1%
FAMILY ROOM
ADDITION
Add a 16-by-25-foot room on a crawl space foundation
with vinyl siding and fiberglass shingle roof. Include
drywall interior with batt insulation, prefinished
hardwood floor, and 180 square feet of glazing,
including windows, atrium-style exterior doors, and two
operable
skylights. Tie into existing heating and cooling.
National Average
Job cost: $52,562
Value at sale: $42,347
Cost Recouped: 80.6%
WINDOW
REPLACEMENT
Replace 10 existing 3-by-5-foot double-hung windows with
vinyl- or aluminum-clad, double-glazed, wood replacement
windows. Wrap existing exterior trim as required to
match. Don't disturb existing interior trim.
National Average
Job cost: $9,273
Value at sale: $7,839
Cost Recouped: 84.5%
ROOFING
REPLACEMENT
Remove existing roofing to bare wood and dispose of
properly. Install 30 squares of fiberglass asphalt
shingles with new felt underlayment, galvanized drip
edge, and mill-finish aluminum flashing.
National Average
Job cost: $11,376
Value at sale: $9,197
Cost Recouped: 80.8%
ATTIC
BEDROOM
In a house with two or three bedrooms, convert
unfinished space in attic to a 15-by-15-foot bedroom and
a 5-by-7-foot shower bath. Add a 15-foot shed dormer and
four new windows. Insulate and finish ceiling and walls;
carpet unfinished floor. Extend existing heating and
central air conditioning to new space. Retain existing
stairs.
National Average
Job cost: $35,960
Value at sale: $29,725
Cost Recouped: 82.7%
BASEMENT
REMODEL
Create a 20-by-30-foot entertaining area with wet bar, a
5-by-8-foot full bath, and a 12-by-12-foot auxiliary
room. Exterior walls are insulated. Include five
six-panel primed hardboard doors. Main room includes 15
recessed ceiling light fixtures, three surface-mounted
light fixtures, and snap-together laminate flooring
system. Bathroom includes standard white toilet, vanity
with cultured marble top, resilient vinyl flooring,
two-piece fiberglass shower unit, a light/fan
combination, vanity light fixture, and recessed medicine
cabinet. Bar area includes 10 linear feet of raised
panel oak cabinets with laminate
countertops, stainless steel bar sink, single-lever bar
faucet, under-counter refrigerator, and vinyl floor
tile.
National Average
Job cost: $47,888
Value at sale: $36,457
Cost Recouped: 76.1%
SUNROOM
ADDITION
Add a 200-square-foot sunroom to a two-story house. Form
and pour footings for slab-on-grade foundation. Use
exposed post-and-beam framing on interior side and
extruded aluminum window frame-and-flashing system with
insulated, low-E, laminated, or tempered glazing.
Provide for natural ventilation using screens and
ceiling fan. Insulate all non-glass areas; provide
movable shades for glass area.
National Average
Job cost: $31,063
Value at sale: $22,002
Cost Recouped: 70.8%
DECK
ADDITION
Add 16-by-20-foot deck using pressure-treated SYP joists
supported by 4-by-4 posts set into concrete footings.
Install composite deck material in a simple linear
pattern. Include a built-in bench, a planter of the same
decking material, and stairs. Provide a railing system
made of the same composite material as the decking or a
compatible vinyl system.
National Average
Job cost: $6,917
Value at sale: $6,000
Cost Recouped: 86.7%
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